Victoria has recorded 190 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, as data reveals schools and workplaces have been some of the biggest drivers of the outbreak.
Key points:
- The source of infection for 87 of the cases is still under investigation
- Victoria is tracking slightly faster than expected to hit a threshold of 70 per cent of the 16+ population having received one vaccine
- Department of Health data shows education settings have been linked to 313 infections in the outbreak so far
Of the new infections, 103 have been so far linked to known outbreaks or cases. Yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews said contact tracing interviews were taking more time due to the higher case load and more "complex" cases.
They were found from 49,584 test results processed on Friday.
There were 35,464 vaccines administered in state-run vaccination centres.
According to federal health department figures from a day earlier, more than 60 per cent of eligible people aged over 16 are protected with a first dose, and 37.12 per cent of eligible people aged over 16 are fully vaccinated.
It means the state is tracking slightly ahead of projected vaccination rates and may hit a 70 per cent first-dose target earlier than the September 23 date flagged by the government.
There has been an uptick in the number of younger people booking in for the AstraZeneca vaccine, particularly since the interval between first and second doses was shortened to six weeks.
After that 70 per cent target is reached, Melburnians can expect a very minor easing of restrictions.
It will not be until 70 per cent of people aged 16 and above have had two doses of a vaccine that the city will have a more significant change to the lockdown settings — a threshold not expected to be reached until mid-October.
Regional Victoria may have freedoms sooner, with the Premier foreshadowing changes to those settings next week.
Education, childcare and hospitals driving infection
A breakdown of the outbreak released by the Department of Health revealed that of the people diagnosed between August 1 and September 2, there were 313 cases linked to education settings. Another 142 were linked to childcare.
A cluster at the Al-Taqwa College in has been a major driver of infection over the past month, and Glenroy West Primary School is also linked to a number of cases.
The state will begin a blitz targeting teachers and year 12 students from September 7, giving them priority access to Pfizer bookings.
There were another 251 infections linked to the government category of "workplace/ industry", and 90 linked to hospital or healthcare settings.
There were 335 people in the "other" category, which a department spokesman said included sporting venues, family and social gatherings, places of worship and transport.
Health authorities have previously said the virus was spreading rapidly through homes and family settings, and a football club was at the centre of the start of the outbreak.
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Victoria records 190 new local COVID-19 cases, 103 linked to known outbreaks - ABC News
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